3 Simple Summer Meal Ideas to Heat Up Grilling Season

Nothing brings people together like good food, and summer is a great time of year to get outside and share a meal with family and friends. At Burnett Grant Park, we make it easy for our residents to come together and soak up the flavors of the season with a spacious picnic and grill area. Here are three summer meal ideas that even the grilling newbies can master.

Summer-Inspired Shrimp Fajitas

By now, your spring veggie and herb garden should be nearing harvest. Make the most of it by incorporating these home-grown ingredients into your summer meal prep. These shrimp fajitas are sure to draw a crowd and keep them coming back for seconds. We recommend pairing with one of the local Eventide Brewing beers to really spice up the party. (Source)

In a small bowl, combine the chili powder, sugar, garlic powder, onion powder, salt and pepper.

Use a pastry brush to coat both sides of the peppers, onions and scallions with some of the oil, then sprinkle with a quarter of the spice mix. Pat the shrimp dry with a paper towel, then brush with the remaining olive oil and season with the remaining spice mixture.

Grill the peppers, onions and scallions until grill marks appear, 3 to 4 minutes per side. Remove to a cutting board. Add the shrimp to the grill and cook just until they turn pink and begin to curl, about 2 minutes per side. Coarsely chop the vegetables and shrimp.

Serve with the warm flour tortillas (I like to wrap a stack of tortillas in foil and warm on the grill) and sour cream, lettuce, guacamole, cheese and lime wedges.

Grilled Peach & Arugula Salad

For a lighter summer meal option, keep this ridiculously delicious grilled peach and arugula salad recipe on hand. Georgia peaches make a star appearance in this summer staple. It makes for a refreshing appetizer, side dish, or light meal. You’ll be drooling over this smoky and sweet summer meal. (Source)

What You’ll Need

2 Firm, Ripe Peaches

2 Packages Baby Arugula

1 Cup Crumbled Feta Cheese

¾ Cup Fresh Mint Leaves

¾ Cup Toasted Pistachios

½ cup EVOO

2 Tablespoons White Wine Vinegar

1 Tablespoon Fresh Lemon Juice

1 Teaspoon Dijon Mustard

1 Teaspoon Honey

¼ Teaspoon Table Salt

¼ Teaspoon Black Pepper

Cooking Instructions

Preheat grill to high (450°F to 550°F). Place peaches, cut sides down, on oiled grates; grill, uncovered, until well charred, about 4 minutes, turning to grill on all sides.

Classic Cheeseburger

Nothing screams summer like a good burger and grilled corn on the cob. This easy-to-follow recipe will help you master the art and science behind a perfect cheeseburger. Or, if you’re not feeling motivated to do the grilling yourself, head over to Grindhouse Grant Park to enjoy one of the top ten burgers in Atlanta. You’re welcome. (Source)

Ingredients:

2 Pounds Ground Beef

2 Teaspoons Salt

¼ Teaspoon Fresh Black Pepper

3 Ounces Monterey Jack or Cheddar Cheese

4 Hamburger Buns

2 Tomatoes, Sliced

8 Leaves Bibb Lettuce

1 Small Red Onion, Sliced

Cooking Instructions:

Heat a grill or grill pan to medium high. Season meat with salt and pepper, mix very lightly, and shape into four patties. Grill hamburgers 4 to 6 minutes per side for rare and 9 to 11 minutes for well done. If making cheeseburgers, lay cheese slices on top of the hamburgers after they have been flipped.